Boris Akunin: 'While there are political prisoners in the country, I cannot go anywhere near the ruler, or even be in the same room as him.'

'While there are political prisoners in the country, I cannot go anywhere near the ruler, or even be in the same room as him. That would mean that I consider it acceptable to listen to speeches about the finer things in life by a person who is keeping people in prison for their political views.'

- Boris Akunin explaining why he did not take part in the Russian Literary Assembly, held this November, that was attended by President Putin.

Source: 'On the civic stance taken by Boris Akunin,' HRO.org, 20 November 2013